Article

How senior living boards of directors can drive organizational excellence in 2024

March 11, 2024 · Authored by Jennifer Schwalm, Mark J. Ross

The boards of directors for senior living organizations play a crucial role in ensuring financial integrity and operational efficiency. It is imperative for boards to remain attentive to emerging industry trends to proactively address potential challenges and capitalize on opportunities. Being aware of trends enables boards to adapt financial strategies, expansion and repositioning strategies, risk management protocols and compliance measures accordingly. In the rapidly evolving landscape of senior living, factors such as demographic trends, technological advancements and changing healthcare reimbursement and regulatory policies can significantly impact financial health.  

By proactively keeping up with industry trends on the horizon, boards of directors can make well informed decisions, enhance long-term financial sustainability, and ensure that senior living organizations are positioned to accomplish their primary objective, which is to provide high quality care to residents while maintaining fiscal responsibility.  

Future trends 

Staying informed on emerging industry trends allows boards of directors to adapt to changes, anticipate challenges and exploit opportunities. Senior living boards need to be well positioned to address trends and assist organizations as they develop action plans and strategies in response.  

Financial stability of the business model 

It is essential for boards of directors to assess the financial stability and sustainability of their senior living organizations. Boards should be paying close attention to key financial ratios, occupancy trends, the number of healthcare beds and related utilization, service offerings, workforce matters, consumer preferences, and real estate and economic trends, as these directly impact the organization’s revenue streams and operational viability. Establishing a comprehensive understanding of these components increases the likelihood that the financial statements of the organization, which are periodically analyzed by boards, will accurately reflect the financial position, operating results and cash flows of the organization. The accuracy of financial information produced by any organization is paramount to allowing residents and other stakeholders to make informed conclusions about the organization’s overall fiscal health and strategic direction. 

Workforce challenges 

Workforce challenges impact overall operational efficiency and quality of care for senior living organizations. The aging population's increasing demand for senior care services increases the strain on the workforce. Additionally, a typical day for direct caregivers in a senior care environment often involves physically and emotionally demanding tasks, contributing to high turnover rates. Workforce shortages and the need for specialized training in geriatric care exacerbate these challenges. Further, the new normal of permanently higher wage rates for certain employees can also create financial hardships for the organization. To address these issues, boards of directors should encourage management to focus on innovative workforce solutions, such as the deployment of robust and engaging training programs; adaptable recruitment and retention initiatives; and strategic workforce planning and scheduling. These actions help to mitigate employee turnover, minimize nurse agency usage, and ensure a sustainable and high-quality care environment. Ultimately, senior living organizations should strive to achieve “employer of choice” status in their market.